The Irish poultry sector, which employs hundreds of people in mainly Cavan and Monaghan, and throughout Ireland is set to receive funding for the first time. This is according to Irish Farmers Association (IFA) National Poultry Committee Chairman Alo Mohan.
Speaking to AgriLand this week, he said its committee has received confirmation from Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney that it will receive funding under Pillar II of the new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) Reform.
A new Irish Poultry Council was set up this year, which includes representatives from poultry processors, poultry producers, egg packers and vets.
Stakeholders
A meeting of stakeholders, including the Irish Poultry Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, Bord Bia, Teagasc and the Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, took place this week to discuss funding available.
“We got confirmation that the Irish poultry sector for the first time will be included in Pillar Two funding of the new CAP Reform. We have no confirmation of what exactly that funding will be but it is a great steer in the right direction,” said IFA National Poultry Committee chairman Alo Mohan.
Positive
“It is most positive. If you take a look at the Bord Bia Origin Green initiative, we plan to run something similar based on energy, efficiency, low-carbon footprint and sustainability within the poultry sector.”
According to Teagasc, 70 million chickens are produced annually in Ireland, four million turkeys and eggs from two million hens. Ireland is the highest consumer of poultry meat in the EU while at the low end of the egg consumption scale, it stated.
Pictured IFA’s Alo Mohan